Flexibility is what we all want.  But flexibility does go both ways.  This weekend, I decided I was going to sign up for a few grocery shops and get somewhere between $24 and $8 in free groceries.  One problem, when I went on the site to book my mystery shop, the company didn’t have any shops listed for this weekend.

If you need a regular income from your shopping or merchandising business, you can’t expect to always find shops to do when you want or need the money.  You have to plan to make your income by choosing the times you want to shop from the jobs posted.  To keep a regular income, you have to consistently book mystery shops.

So, are you willing to do what it takes to maintain the “flexible” work schedule?  You should start by checking the secret shopping sites on a regular schedule.  Decide the times you want to work and fit as many jobs as you can into those times.  Make a determination about the amount you need to earn and book enough mystery shops to meet your goal.

As I have pointed out before, it always helps if you are flexible when you are contacted directly by a mystery shopping company.  If you can make yourself available to book a last minute mystery shop when the company is in a crunch, they are likely to contact you again about a last minute shop.  This will help you start your mystery shopping business and will show that you are a professional shopper.  When the company contacts you about last minute shops, they usually offer a bonus.

Mystery shopping and secret shopping companies offer jobs that can provide a flexible work schedule.  The skills you must focus on to be successful at mystery shopping are consistency, organization, scheduling and producing quality reports.

There are many reasons companies want to hire mystery shoppers. The advantage to the company is the opportunity to gather quick information regarding the service offered at the various locations.  The data provided by the mystery shopper will help the company understand the impact of customer service offered and improvement needs.  Monitoring interaction with customers provides the tools companies need to take their business to the next level of success.

Mystery shopping companies are looking for shoppers to complete on-site mystery shops, telephone mystery shops, Internet mystery shops and web-based customer satisfaction surveys.

A simple search will direct you to multiple lists of mystery shopping companies or secret shopper companies.  There is no easy way to know which companies are best suited for a particular individual.  You will need to sign up with several to see the type of shops they offer and amounts they pay per shop.  You should never have to pay a fee to register or apply with mystery shopping or secret shopper companies.

As you go along, you will develop a preference for certain companies or shop types.  There is no limit on how many companies you can work for as you will be classified as an independent contractor.  You are really only limited by your ability to stay organized.

A good way to start is to have a folder or envelop for each company in order to maintain paperwork and receipts.  Another good tool is a large calendar or notebook where you can list jobs by date and time so you don’t miss or forget a job.

Mystery Shopping isn’t a way to get quick cash.  Most companies operate on a fifteen to sixty day payment schedule.  If you book a group of shops in the same seven to fourteen day period, you could get a sizeable check in two to three weeks.  Mystery and secret shopping companies usually pay on a two week period.  For instance, any shops you complete by the end of the month might be paid on the 20th of the following month.  Each company has its own payment schedule.  You should make sure you are familiar with the payment terms of all companies.

Check this site for coming information about specific mystery shopping companies.

Market Force Information has five brands. You do have to register with each brand as each is an independent division.  You should never pay a fee for mystery shopping information.  There is no fee for registering with Market Force Information.  There is no fee to search the list of jobs the company has available.

Market Force Information is just one of the many companies I will be sharing that allow you to work from home on the internet and on a flexible part-time basis.

C M S – Certified Marketing Services is an umbrella for four different groups.  Under the CMS umbrella you will find Certified Reports Inc, Certified Merchanding Services, Certified Marketing Research Services Inc. and Certified Field Associates.  All of these groups are market research companies and are looking for mystery customers.  Through CMS, you will find opportunities for in-store merchandising, theater checks, theater promotional installations, surveys and mystery shopping.

Speedmark Information Services – Speedmark offers employee training and quality improvement based on information and responses obtained from mystery shoppers.

Shop‘nChek Worldwide – Shop’nCheck offers the easiest mystery shopping jobs for getting started.  This is where you will find grocery, bank and restaurant shops that you will be able to do as a beginner.

SG Marketing Group offers banking and financial services assignments.  At this time there are no jobs listed under this brand.

Go to these links to read more information about Market Force Information and becoming a mystery customer.

http://www.marketforce.com/

On-Line Application: http://www.applymarketforce.com
Information Packet On Line: http://www.becomeashopper.com
Information Packet via Email: ShopRecruit@marketforce.com
Questions: HelpDesk@marketforce.com

I will be highlighting and evaluating other mystery shopping, market research and merchandising companies.

Stay tuned.

The top priority for this type of company is service.  The success of their business is based on good service.  The best way to evaluate the service a customer is receiving is to ask the customer.  That is what mystery shopping companies do – they ask you!
Banks

You may go to a bank to evaluate the answers you receive when asking about a particular service they offer.  You may be asked to count the number of people waiting for service.  The bank may test for consistency by having you check the latest promotion or interest rates posted.  The mystery shopping company that you shop for will give you the exact scenario and questions to ask.  I’ve found some of these shops to be the quickest, easiest and best paying.

Fast Food

As a mystery shopper, you may place an order for a certain meal and record the time it takes to receive your order.   You may also evaluate your meal for taste and appearance. This helps the company maintain a particular standard throughout the chain.

Retail

Retail organizations might evaluate the customer service that their employees are offering by having you make a purchase and return the purchase a couple of days later for the purpose of evaluating the return process.  The company may ask you to record of how many employees are on the floor or ask if you are approached by someone offering assistance.

Apartment Complexes, Health Clubs and Automobile Dealers

These shops may take more time as you will need to listen to the details of renting, tour the health club or test drive a car.  These shops might also take a more extroverted personality as you will have to ask some questions and listen to the “sales pitch.” Those that have dreamed of acting, these are the shops for you, break a leg!

Grocery Chains

Grocery stores are another quick and easy shop.  The companies require you to evaluate several areas in the stores but they are not time consuming.  You might be required to ask a customer service question, purchase something from the deli or count the number of people in line at the pharmacy.

These are a few of my favorites. Try them yourself, you’ll find one or two you like then start signing up for them. Enjoy!